Post by carsoni4 on Feb 18, 2012 18:57:16 GMT -5

I think people are severely underrating the "once-in-a-lifetime" factor of last year's lineup.

The Beach Boys may put on a great show, but as it stands right now, Buffalo Springfield's set at Roo was their last show ever.

Dr. John and the Original Meters will also likely never perform together again. The Original Meters and Allen Toussaint will DEFINITELY never perform together again.

I look at this year's lineup, and while I see greatness, I do not see as many "once-in-a-lifetime", "only at Roo" moments. Things will obviously change once June rolls around, but I just wish people weren't so quick to dismiss Roo X.

Post by blueslikehail on Feb 18, 2012 22:03:14 GMT -5

I think people are severely underrating the "once-in-a-lifetime" factor of last year's lineup.

The Beach Boys may put on a great show, but as it stands right now, Buffalo Springfield's set at Roo was their last show ever.

Dr. John and the Original Meters will also likely never perform together again. The Original Meters and Allen Toussaint will DEFINITELY never perform together again.

I look at this year's lineup, and while I see greatness, I do not see as many "once-in-a-lifetime", "only at Roo" moments. Things will obviously change once June rolls around, but I just wish people weren't so quick to dismiss Roo X.

you've highlighted another reason i'm still kind of partial to last year's lineup. i also hope they continue to pursue the unique events of last year: the parade, fireworks, blinky light drop, portugal the man on the float, deervana, and other stuff.

Post by Chris Major on Feb 19, 2012 7:45:40 GMT -5

I first went in 2005 when I was like 16. I compare every Bonnaroo lineup to that year. I had the time of my life at my first Bonnaroo, and looking back on it the lineup wasn't even that strong that year. I know no matter what the lineup, if its stronger than 2005, I'm going to have the best weekend imaginable.

Post by fake neil young on Feb 19, 2012 12:58:18 GMT -5

BTW guys, the word "indie" is just a substitute for "alternative" at this point in time.

Except for the part where typical indie bands like Foster the People, the Shins & Feist sound absolutely nothing like typical alt-rock bands such as Nirvana, Jane's Addiction, and Pearl Jam?

As for this year's lineup, I'm a little less excited for it now than I was when it first dropped. Headliners are pretty ideal, especially Beach Boys, and the festival definitely benefits from not trying to shove in a rap headliner; the hip hop lineup this year is easily the strongest they've had, even though it lacks any one huge name. But the only acts that really excite me are Beach Boys, Phish, and Flying Lotus. The rest (especially the 2nd/3rd tier - acts like Avetts, Foster the People, Skrillex) are semi-popular acts I just don't get into like other people do.

Post by A$AP Rosko on Feb 19, 2012 13:06:10 GMT -5

It's fruitless trying to craft a mold or figure out the parameters for what vague things like "indie" and "alternative" rock are because they change over time and they are subjective boundaries, meaning a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

Post by Alberto Balsalm on Feb 19, 2012 16:49:47 GMT -5

I cared quite a bit, that was one of my biggest draws for the fest. They rarely ever do shows as anything but the funky Meters, getting the original line-up together PLUS Dr. John was honestly a pretty big get. Maybe not to you but it was to me and a lot of other people, one of the acts that really made last year's Roo special for me

Post by nicthedick85 on Feb 20, 2012 8:06:43 GMT -5

The real question is how many hipster related medical emergencies will happen this year. I feel the amount of skinny jeans will cause a flood of heat strokes and the like. Will they bring skinny shorts?

Post by katbur2 on Feb 20, 2012 8:34:51 GMT -5

For me 2012 is a waaaayyy better lineup than 2011. Not a big hip hop fan so the combination of Eminem (who hubby loved) and Lil Wayne (who's crap I had to listen to even when I was at camp) was not a big seller.

2008 was the perfect experience but it was my first and the weather was so good that I'm not sure the line up was the issue. PJ were fucking amazing and the superjam was bizarrely good.

Post by RadioSpirit on Feb 20, 2012 11:52:10 GMT -5

Except for the part where typical indie bands like Foster the People, the Shins & Feist sound absolutely nothing like typical alt-rock bands such as Nirvana, Jane's Addiction, and Pearl Jam?

And what, exactly, does an Indie band "sound" like?I would never think Feist sounds a whole lot like Foster the People. Or Neutral Milk Hotel like Yeasayer. Or Bon Iver like Cults. Or WU LYF like No Age. I could go on, and on, but I think the original point is that "Indie" is used as a meaningless catch-all term today, in much the same way as "alternative" has been used for years. What makes a band indie? Perception, not the sound of their music.

Do you think the bands considered "Alternative" today (Nickelback, Shinedown, Linkin Park) make for better company with Nirvana/PearlJam/Jane'sAddiction than those bands considered "Indie"?